Caste

by

Isabel Wilkerson

The Vaishyas are the third-lowest caste in the modern-day Indian caste system. They were historically defined as the “engine” of the caste system and traditionally occupy merchant and trader roles in society.
Get the entire Caste LitChart as a printable PDF.
Caste PDF

Vaishya Term Timeline in Caste

The timeline below shows where the term Vaishya appears in Caste. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Pillar Number One: Divine Will and the Laws of Nature
Caste as a Global Problem  Theme Icon
How Caste Sustains Itself Theme Icon
...the Brahmin, the highest caste, from his mouth; the Kshatriya (warriors) from his arms; the Vaishya (merchants and traders) from his thighs, and the Shudra (servants) from his feet. The Untouchables... (full context)